Though the APSRTC has taken a brave front that 50% of the tickets in many of its special services are already booked, private operators say that if the ban is imposed at night, it will be doom for them.
After the New Year celebrations amid night curfew and a ban on large gatherings, people will see the same current sequence of things during the upcoming Sankranti. The festival marks the beginning of the harvest season when new crops are worshiped and shared with joy. But, the rapid resurgence of Omicron’s version of the COVID-19 pandemic has robbed people of such joyous occasions of mass celebration.
Just when most of us thought we had left our worst behind, the fear of an impending third wave looms large with the rise in new infections. The fear that the Omicron version, said to be highly permeable, could derail the small recovery made over the past few months, is giving many people sleepless nights.
The experience of past waves of pandemics tells us that as the number of cases rises, restrictions on the movement of people are imposed and this adversely affects economic activity.
The transport sector is one of the first and worst sectors to bear the brunt of restrictions on mobility. The global pandemic has played a bad game for those engaged in the transportation business. It is the season of festivals and weddings that bring families and friends together for mass entertainment. To capitalize on the festive mood, AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is running special services of buses to meet the commuting needs of the public. More than 6,000 buses belonging to the RTC fleet will carry passengers from one destination to another before and after the festival days of Bhogi, Pongal and Kanuma on January 14, 15 and 16 respectively.
security measures
“In view of the increase in virus infection, we have been extra vigilant, constantly monitoring the regular cleaning of bus stations and vehicles, besides emphasizing on COVID-appropriate behavior by passengers such as maintaining social distancing. keeping, using hand sanitiser and wearing a face mask. Without fail, ”says Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, Managing Director, APSRTC.
Some may have postponed their travel plans for fear of spreading the virus, but the fact that a good number of special buses are being pressed into service by the APSRTC, 50% of the tickets are already booked, This proves that a large section of the people want it. To proceed with your festival plans.
In order to take its services to the masses, the Corporation has deployed 350 officers, supervisors and staff in the major cities of Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru for smooth operation of the special services. This is in addition to the provision of setting up a call center with a special phone line (0866 2570005) so that people can get the information they need.
Occupancy ratio falls
Private bus operators, who already have their cup of distress due to huge revenue losses during the first and second waves of the pandemic, say the resurgence of the virus bound to break their back is the last straw. “The average daily occupancy ratio has come down to 70% and only 50% OR has been observed in buses traveling to places like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra,” says Andhra Pradesh President M. Sambi Reddy. , Telangana State Bus Owners Association. Sri Reddy, who owns a fleet of 30 buses operated under the Varun Travels brand, says, “If the state imposes night curfew, it will spell disaster for us because unlike APSRTC, we private operators run our buses only during night time. Huh.”
Ever since the first wave of the COVID pandemic hit, Sri Reddy has been running only half of his number of buses. “Considering the dangers of traveling by public transport, many people now prefer private vehicles or even postpone their travel plans unless it is unavoidable,” they say.
reluctance among employees
The pain of COVID deaths amongst families, relatives, neighbours, friends and acquaintances is still fresh in people’s mind. Perhaps this is why health has taken priority over work for many truck drivers who refuse to attend work as the Omicron version takes hold. The precarious nature of their work, touching the borders of other states where there is a rising number of cases and inviting the risk of falling ill is a second thought among many truck drivers. YV Eswara Rao, general secretary of Andhra, says, “We are trying to educate the drivers and their helpers (cleaners) to follow the prescribed protocol and ensure adequate stock of hand sanitizers and face masks in the vehicles at any point of time. ” Pradesh Lorry Owners Association
However, there are different speculations regarding the peak of the third wave of the pandemic and speculation on the severity of a possible escalation of Omicron cases. “Regardless, we need to ensure that there is no room for complacency,” Sri Reddy insists.
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